IPC Decries Violence Against Journalists During Nationwide Protests

The International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos has condemned the attacks on journalists and media professionals during the nationwide hardship protest on August 1. 

In a statement by Melody Akinjiyan, IPC’s Press Freedom Officer, the organisation expressed deep concern over the violence faced by media workers covering the demonstrations.

According to IPC’s journalists’ safety alert situation room, numerous journalists experienced physical assaults, harassment, and were denied access while covering the protest. 

The statement detailed that some journalists were injured, arrested, or had their equipment damaged.

Specific incidents include:

Lagos State: Benard Akede of News Central Television was harassed by police officers and LCC officials, who prevented him and other journalists from conducting interviews during a live broadcast.

– Kano State: Ibrahim Isah, a TVC News Correspondent, was assaulted by armed hoodlums, resulting in hand injuries. Additionally, a Channels Television vehicle carrying 11 journalists, including Isah, was vandalised.

– FCT, Abuja: Yakubu Mohammed of Premium Times was beaten by police officers with guns and batons, sustaining head injuries. Several journalists’ cameras were also destroyed. 

Jide Oyekunle of Daily Independent was arrested, and Mary Adeboye of News Central Television was affected by tear gas.

– Cross River State: In Calabar, Joseph Abasi-Abasi of the Nigerian Tribune was severely injured by hoodlums. 

The attackers targeted a bus belonging to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) that was transporting food items. Jonathan Ugbal of Cross River Watch was beaten and detained by police but was later released.

– Delta State: Matthew Ochei of Punch Newspaper, Monday Osayande of Guardian Newspaper, and Lucy from Pointer were attacked by pro-government protesters, who destroyed their equipment and chased them away.

Akinjiyan condemned these attacks as a disturbing recurrence of violence against journalists and reiterated that such actions are unacceptable. 

She urged security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to investigate the incidents thoroughly and hold those responsible accountable.

Akinjiyan also highlighted the failure to uphold journalists’ rights to report on protests and other public events, as guaranteed by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and other legal frameworks.